The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Gerald Martin Huffman, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron EIGHTY-TWO (VF-82), attached to the U.S.S. BENNINGTON (CV-20), in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Japanese Inland Sea, on 19 March 1945. Participating in a strike against hostile war ships and naval installations, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Huffman shot down in flames an enemy fighter plane and, attacking an enemy aircraft carrier in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, scored two direct rocket hits which caused serious damage to the flight deck of the Japanese warship. His outstanding airmanship and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.